Chair



March 20, 1934. A. R. scHwARzKoPF E1- Al. 1,951,375

CHAIR Filed June 6, 19,30 6 SheeetS--Sheei'l l March 20, 1934. A R SCHWARZKOPF E1- AL 1,951,375

CHAIR Filed June 6, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 20, 1934. A. R. scHwARzKoPF Er AL 1,951-375 March 20, 1934. A. R. scHwARzKoPF l-:T AL 1,951,375

March 20, 1934. A. R. scHwARzKoPF Er AL CHAI R Filed June 6, 19:50 s sheets'sheet 5 MalCh 20, 1934. A. R. scHwARzKoPF Er AL 1,951,375

CHAIR Filed June 6, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 LLI Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UND STATES CHAIR Arthur R. Schwarzkopf and Harry A. Bern, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Theo. A. Kochs Company, Chicago, Ell., a corporation of Illinois Application June 6, 1930, Serial No. 459,526

18 Claims.

This invention relates to chairs capable of being raised and lowered, and possessing other movements.

Although the invention may be applied to chairs intended for many different purposes, it will be described and readily understood from the following description of a barbers chair, embodying same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the barbers chair;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the substructure, the seat and associated parts being removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of the handle and associated parts taken on the line 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows in full and vdotted lines various positions of the handle;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 of Fig. 2 passing through the pumps and the oil receptacle;

Fig. 6a is a sectional detail on the line 6EL of Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a view on the line 7 of Fig. 3 showing the brake which hoids the chair seat from rotation;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing connections between the handle and the brake;

Fig. 10 is a similar View showing the connections between the handle and the clamping means which holds the back and apron in any desired reclined position;

Fig. l1 is a detail showing the upper end of the sleeve 161 and associated parts;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail on the line 12 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail on the line 13 of eig. 15 is a sectional detail on the line 15-15 of Fig. 2 showing the arrangement of conduits r' for the oil.

Referring to the drawings, the structure comprises a base 26 which has a central hollow column 2l. The base and column may be of any desired exterior nish, for example, porcelain, and an ornamental ring 22 may be secured to the edge of the base. An ornamentalcollar 23 may be applied to the upper end of the column 2i. The lower end of the column 2l is shouldered interiorly, as shown in Fig. 3, to provide a seat for the stem flange 24 which is secured thereto by screws 25.

' The stem flange 24 is provided with a central l tapered opening which receives the lower end of the hollow stem 26. This stem is secured in position in the stern iiange 24 by means of a threaded plug 26. The hollow stem 26 freely receives the cylinder 27 and its exterior surface serves as a guide for the movable carriage 28 which will be hereinafter described.

. The lower end of the cylinder 27 is closed by a cap 29. The plug 26 and cap 29 are preferably provided with crown discs 30 which are adapted to contact to permit the cylinder to rotate freely together with themovable carriage 28. By providing for the free rotation of the cylinder 27 with respect to the base, the difficulties of maintaining a tight piston which is rotatable in its cylinder, are avoided. The upper end of the cylinder 27 is pro-vided wth'a closure 31 which carries a gland 32 through which the tube 33 passes.

The tube 33 is threaded into a head 34 and communicates with a chamber 35 therein. This chamber communicates through suitable passages with the pipe 36 which is threaded into the head. A stem 37 provided with a longitudinal passageway 38 is located within the tube 33 so as to leave an annular longitudinal passageway 39 therebetween. The stem 37 is threaded to the head 34 and its passageway 38 communicates with the pipe 40, which is also screwed into the head. The lower end of the stem 37 projects below the lower end of the tube 33 and carries the piston 41 which operates in the cylinder 27. The piston comprises a housing 42 upon the lower face of which is secured a flexible inverted cup 43, which is preferably of leather. The exible cup 43 is held in position by a washer 44 which is engaged by a nut 45. The washer 44 is provided with an opening which permits communication between the lower side of the piston and the interior of the housing 42. The upper wall of the housing is provided with an opening which is controlled by the spring-pressed valve 46. This valve is provided with an upwardly projecting stem 47 which is adapted to come into contact with the closure 31 when the piston approaches the upper end of the cylinder. This contact effects the opening of the valve 46 and prevents the formation of excessive pressure after the chair has been elevated to the maximum extent.

The movable vcarriage 28 comprises a vertical cylindrical column 48 which passes over the hollow stem 26 and is provided at its lower end with a relatively long bearing 48' which has a sliding fit upon the stem. At its upper end the column 48 is provided with a thickened neck 49 through which pass bolts 50 which secure the same to the head 34.

The movable carriage 28 may suitably be constituted by a casting which comprises the column 48, a block 51 which provides vertical pump cylinders 52 and 58, and an oil reservoir 54. The upper ends of the cylinders 52 and 53 open intoa housing 55 into which opens a horizontal housing 56, which projects in a radial direction with respect to the column 48. On the other side from the housing 56, the column 48 is provided with a radial housing 57 which may suitably be in alignment with housing 56.

At its lower end the carriage 28 is provided with a flange 58 concentric with the column 48.

i A similar and somewhat larger flange 59 is provided on the carriage 28 on the level of the lower walls of the housings 56 and 57. This ilange forms part of the bo-ttom of the housing 55 as shown in Fig. 8. In order to present a pleasing appearance when the chair'is elevated, it is prei'erred to provide between the flanges 58 and 59 a cylindrical apron 6i) which may have an exterior inish of porcelain or the like. The apron 60 passes loosely through the collar 23. The apron L?- may suitably be mounted upon the lower ilange 58 by means of bolts 61 which pass through open- 'ngs in an internal flange 62 and are threaded into the flange 58. In order to prevent injury to the porcelain finish during assembly, springs 68 may be provided between the heads of the bolts 61 and the underside of the flange 62, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper flange 59 may be provided with tapering projections 64 which engage the upper edge of the apron 60 and maintain same in position.

The housing 56 receives a hollow shaft 65 which is provided with recesses to receive roller bearings 66. The shaft 65 is also provided with a circumferential recess 67 which is adapted to receive a bolt 68 whereby the shaft is held in position. On the inner end of the shaft 65 is rigidly mounted crank plate 68 which carries pins 69 and 70. rIhe pins 69 and 70 are linked by connecting rods 71 and 72 to pistons 73 and 74 which are located in the pump cylinders 52 and 53, respectively. The crank plate 68 may suitably be provided with a pin 75 which enters a recess in the face of the shaft 65. The shaft 65 may'be provided with a hollow web 76 which serves as an abutment for the head of a bolt 77 which is threaded into the crank plate 68 as shown in Fig. 3. The plate 68 may be internally stepped to receive the end of the shaft 65.

Upon the outer end of the shaft 65 is rigidly mounted the hollow lever 78. It will be readily understood that the pistons 73 and 74 may be reciprocated by oscillating the lever 78, for example, between the positions b and c sho-wn in Fig. 5. The lever 78 receives internally the radial stem i 79 and is provided with bearing surfaces for its rotation therein. This stem may be introduced by an opening normally closed by a plug 80. The outer end of the stem 79 carries rigidly a hand piece 81 whereby the stem 79 may be rotated within the lever 78. In order to facilitate rotation of the hand piece, the same is provided with a projecting pin 82 which is carried by a stem threaded into the stern 79, The abutting ends of the lever 78 and the hand piece 81 are provided with oppositely directed telescoped ferrules 83 between which is placed a light spring 84 which takes up any play between these parts.

The lower end of the stem 79 is enlarged and is cut away to provide a face 85 against which abuts the end face of a bar 86 which is slidably mounted in the axial portion of the lever 78. As will be readily understood from Fig. 13, the face 85 is symmetrically disposed with respect to the end of the bar 86 so that the latter may be actuated equally well by the rotation of the stem 79 in either direction. The bar 86 is stepped to provde an abutment for a weak coil spring 87, the other end of which bears against the plate 131 which is hereinafter described. A lever 88 eX- tends through an opening in the housing 56 and through a slot 89 into the interior of the shaft 65. The lever 88 is pivotally mounted for horizontal movement upon lugs carried by the housing 56, as shown in Fig. 2. The slot 89 is of such size and location that the lever 78 may be oscillated between its extreme positions a and d (Fig. 5.) without interfering with the lever 88. The outer end of the lever 88 is connected by an adjustable link 90 to a lever 91, which is pivoted upon lugs carrfed by the housing 57, and extends through a suitable opening into the interior of said housing.

The superstructure of the chair comprises a seat portion 92 which is secured upon the movable carriage 28, for example, by means of bolts 93, which are threaded into bosses or lugs on the movable carriage, and secure lugs 94 carried by the seat 92. A back 95 is pivotally mounted upon the seat vas is also a front apron 96 which carries a foot rest 97. The apron 96 is provided with upward extensions 98 which are linked to the back 95 by arm rests 99. It will be readily understood that owing to this linkage the back. and apron move together into desired positions of adjustment.

To the rearside of the apron 96 is pivotally secured a rod 100 which passes through the housing 57 and is engaged therein by a clutch which will now be described.

The clutch comprises a housing 101 which is adapted to be rotatably located within the housing 57. The housing 101 may suitably be provided with a circumferential groove 102 which is adapted to receive the inner end of a screw 103 carried by the housing 57. The housing 101 receives the clutch plates 104 which are provided with openings through which the rod 100 passes. The housing 101 is provided with openings in alignment with those of the clutch plates.. The housing 57 is also provided with openings for the reception of the rod 100 and these openings are sufiiciently large to accommodate the rod in its various degrees of Obliquity occasioned by the Varying positions of the apron 96. The outer ends of the clutch plates 104 are located within a rectangular opening 105 provided in a transverse wall 106 within the housing 101. The inner ends oi' the clutch plates are curved and engage the tapering surfaces 107 of a plug 108 slidably mounted in the open inner end of the housing 101. The end of the plug 108 is engaged by the inner end of the lever 91, as shown in Fig. 14. The clutch plates 104 are separated by a coil spring 199 which normally surrounds the rod 100. As will be readily understood from Fig. 14, the spring 169 tends to separate the plates 164 and cause the openings thereof to engage the rod 100 and prevent movement thereof. This separation also tends toy move the plug 108 outwardly, which has the result of holding the lever 88 (through lever 91 and link 90) adjacent the inner end of the bar 86. When the hand piece 81 is rotated, the bar 86 is projected inwardly which actuates the lever 88, link 90 and lever 91 so that the latter forces the plug 108 into the housing 101 thereby releasing the clutch plates 104 and permitting the adjustment of the back and apron to desired position. On release of the hand piece 81 the clutch plates 104 resume their clutching function so that the back and apron are maintained in such position. It may be noted that th-e operation of the clutch is independent of the position of the lever 78 and does not interfere with the other functions of the handle.

The housing 101 is provided with segmental partitions 101ZL which are spaced with respect to the wall 106. The partitions 101a may suitably be provided with stops 101b which limit the spreading of the plates 104. The plates 104 are cut away as shown in Fig. 3 to provide extensions which normally extend between the wall 106 and partitions 1013. In assembling the clutch the plates are inserted from the inner end of the housing 101 and are brought into position by a rotary movement. When the plates are positioned, the spring 109 is inserted, which holds the plates against rotation and removal. It will thus be understood that the plates and spring may be assembled in the housing 101 which may then be installed as a unit in the housing 57. On their inner sides the plates 104 are provided with transverse ribs 104a which have the effect of maintaining the spring in position.

As previously explained, the movable carriage 28 is rotatably mounted upon the hollow stein 26. A brake is provided to prevent this rotation. When desired, this brake is applied by merely moving the lever 78 into its rearmost position which is designated a in Fig. 5. Movement of the handle into this position causes a cam surface 110 on the edge of the crank plate 68 to make contact with a roller 111 carried by a bar 112, and move the bar outwardly. The bar 112 has a bearing in a boss 113 carried by the rearside of the housing 55. At its outer end, the bar 112 carries a transverse bar 114. The bar 114 carries a set screw 115 adapted to contact with the boss 113 and limit the inward movement of the bar 112. A nut 115 may be provided to lock the screw 115 in adjusted position. A rod 116 which is operatively connected to the bar 114 passes through an opening in the rear wall of the housing and has pivotal connection with the hori- Zontal end 117 of the vertical rod 118. The rod 118 extends through the anges 58 and 59, which provide it with bearings at its upper and lower ends. Below the ilange 58 the rod is rectangular in shape.

The brake band 119 comprises a superimposed assemblage of plates 120 of the shape best shown in Fig. 7. Each plate 120 is of arcuate form, having a circular opening slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the hollow stem 26. Each plate 120 ei'tends almost completely around the stein 26 and is provided at one end with an enlarged portion 121 which is provided with an opening 122 somewhat wider than the rectangular portion of the rod 118. The assembled plates 120 are riveted together, as shown at 123, and are provided with perforated lugs 124, whereby the assembly may be bolted to the underside of the iiange 58 by bolts 125. These bolts are provided with bushings, and they secure the brake band 119 somewhat loosely to the carriage 28 so that it may conform to the position of the stem 26.

In assembling the brake band 119, the plates 120 are superimposed so as to bring the lugs 124 into register and bring the enlarged portions 121 into superimposed relation. Adjacent plates are oppositely directed so that the gap between the ends of each plate is bridged by the portion of the adjacent plate or plates as clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 9. The openings 122 of each set of plates are displaced somewhat, so that in order to bring them into register the band must be tightened. so as to reduce its internal diameter. The overlap of the openings 122 is sufficient to receive the rectangular end of the rod 118. It will be obvious that by rotating this rod the band 119 will be contracted and the carriage 28 will be securely held to the hollow stem 26 and prevented from rotation thereon.

It is preferred to provide a resilient means in the connections between the handle and the brake band and to provide an adjustment therefor. This may be accomplished by mounting a thimble 126 upon the bar 114. This thimble receives a helical spring 127, and the rod 116 extends through an opening in the base of the thiinble and through the spring. The rod 116 is threaded to receive a thumb nut 128 which is adapted to bear against the base of the thiinble 126. The outer end of the spring 127 rests against the innermost of a pair of nuts 130. By adjusting the nuts 130 the tension of the spring 127 may be adjusted so that the brake 119 may be applied without producing excessive forces. By adjusting the nut 128 the tension of the spring can also be adjusted and the effective length of the rod 116 controlled to give the desired braking ei'ect. In order to lock the nuts 130 in desired adjustment it is preferred to mount a flat spring 129 upon the bar 114, for example, by means of the nut 115e. The spring is provided with a hexagonal opening which normally receives one or both of the nuts 130 to hold same against rotation. When the nuts are to be adjusted the spring is merely deflected outwardly to permit the nuts to be rotated.

It will be readily understood that Vby merely moving the handle into its extreme rearward position a (Fig. 5) the cam surface 110 actuates the rake connections to rotate the rod 118 and contract the brake band 119 upon the stem 26. The chair is now held against rotation on a vertical axis until the handle is moved from the position a which immediately releases the brake. It will be understood that the hand piece 8l may be rotated while the brake is in position a, and the back and apron adjusted to any desired position while the brake 119 holds the chair against rotation on a vertical axis.

It is preferred to provide means for holding the lever 78 against accidental movement when it is in its most rearward position o and the brake 119 is applied. For this purpose a plate 131, perforated to permit the inner end of the bar 86 to pass freely therethrough, may be interposed between the abutting ends of the hollow lever '78 and the shaft 6.5. Part of the plate 132 projects beyond these members and moves freely for most of its travel between a pair of arcuate strips 134 mounted on the outer end of the housing 56. When the handle is moved into its rearward position the projecting portion 132 of the plate 131 is resiliently engaged between inwardly crimped portions 133 of the strips 134. It is preferred to provide each strip 134 with a pair of crimps so that wear may be corrected by turning Vchamber 136 by a conduit 135 (Fig. 6).

the strips around so as to bring the unused pair of crimps into operative position.

The cylinder 52 is formed within the block 51 and opens into an aligned chamber 136 of larger diameter. The chamber 136 extends to the lower face of the ange 58 and its outer end is internally threaded. The cylinder 53 terminates above the flange 58 and its lower en'd is connected to the The chamber 136 receives a valve plug 137 which is secured therein by means of an annular nut 138. The plug 137 is externally stepped to receive a sleeve 139 and is internally bored and stepped to provide seats for an upper valve 140 and a lower valve 141.

The valve 141 is provided with a stem which is guidably received in a recess in a plug 142 which closes the lower end of the bore of the valve plug 137. The stem of the valve 141 is hollow and guidably receives the stem of the valve 140. A spring 143, abutting upon the valves 140 and 141, normally keeps the valve 140 closed. A stronger spring 144, abutting upon the plug 142, normally maintains the valve 141 closed. The stem of the valve 149 extends almost to the bottom of the'bore of the stem of the valve 141 so that when the valve 140 is depressed in the manner hereinafter described, both valves will be opened.

The pipe 40 is threaded into the valve plug below the valve 141, the block 51 being provided with an opening 145 through which the pipe 40 passes freely.

Packing 146 is provided above and below the sleeve 139 to prevent leakage of oil, this packing being compressed by screwing the nut 138. The sleeve 139 is provided with a series of openings 147, one or more of which register with the conduit 135. These openings further register with a circumferential groove 143 formed in the upper portion of the valve plug 137. The groove 148 communicates through openings 149 with the bore of the valve plug 137 between the valves 146 and 141.

The upper end of the valve plug 137 is provided with an upstanding ring 156, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. The ring 150 is pro-vided with lateral openings 151.

1t will readily be understood that the valves 140 and 141 and associated springs may readily be removed for repair or replacement by merely unscrewing the plug 142, the valve 140 being adapted to pass through the seat of the valve 141. The valve plug 137 may be removed by unscrewing the pipe 40 and unscrewing the ring nut 138.

The reservoir 54 communicates with a chamber 152 which is closed at its lower end by a plug 153 and at its upper end by a perforate plug 154 which provides a seat for the valve 155 and carries a screen 156 to prevent the admission of dirt to the pumps. The valve 155 is normally pressed upon .its seat by a spring 157 which bears upon a plate 1554, carried by the valve stem. The plate 155a is slightly smaller than the cross-section of the chamber 152, as shown in Fig. 6a, so that any tendency of the valve to knock during pumping is taken up by its dash pot action in moving through the oil in the chamber 152. The chamber 152 has free communication with the cylinder 52 through the passage 1522i.

The piston 73 comprises a plug 1.58 to which the connecting rod 71 is connected. The plug 158 is threaded into the upper end of the sleeve 159 which has a sliding fit in the cylinder 52. Immediately below the normal position of the plug 158, a plug 160 is rigidly supported within the sleeve 159. The` plug 160 carries a depending tube 161 which is located Within the sleeve 159 and in spaced relation thereto. At an intermediate point the tube 161 is provided with an integral collar 162. The collar 162 is interrupted at 163 to permit the upper end of a coil spring 164 to be attached to the tube 161 in the manner shown in Fig. 6. The spring 164 is located within the annular space between the tube 161 and the sleeve 159, and terminates adjacent the lower end thereof. This spring is adapted to contact with the ring 150, and is sufficiently strong to prevent the lever 78 from accidentally moving into the position d (Fig. 5), which, as will hereinafter appear, would cause the chair to descend to its lowermost position.

The opening of the tube 161 extends through the plug 160 which is provided at its upper end with a valve seat which receives the valve 165. This Valve is carried at the upper end of a rod 166 which has a sliding fit within the tube 161. The valve 165 is connected to the rod 166 by a small neck 167 which provides an annular passage 168 through which oil may pass when the valve 165 is opened. The passage 168 communicates through a port 171 to the exterior of the sleeve 159 near the upper end thereof. The plug 158 is internally recessed to receive a spring 173 which serves to keep the valve 165 upon its seat, and to provide a chamber 174 around the valve and above the plug 160. A port 175 provides free communication between chamber 174 and the annular space between the sleeve 159 and the tube 161. At its lower end the rod 166 carries a downwardly projecting pin 176 which is adapted, when the handle is moved into the extreme forward position d (Fig. 5), to open the valves 140, 141 and 165. When this occurs the port 171 registers with an annular recess 177 provided in the wall of the cylinder 52, which recess communicates with the oil reservoir 54 through the port 178. It will readily be understood that in this condition free communication exists between the pipe 40 and the reservoir 54 through the plug 137, port 175, chamber 174, passage 168, port 169, recess 170, port 171, recess 177 and port 178. When the handle is moved out of position d, the valves immediately close and this communication is immediately interrupted.

The connecting rod 72 is pivotally connected to a plug 179 which is threaded into a sleeve 180 which has a sliding fit in the cylinder 53. Rigidly mounted within the sleeve 180, below the plug 179, is a plug 181 which carries a tube 182 in spaced relation to the sleeve 180. The opening of the tube 182 extends through the plug 181 and is provided at its upper end with a seat for a valve 183. The valve 183 is connected by a neck 184 to a rod 185 which has a sliding t in the tube 182. The rod 185 is adapted to contact with a spider 186 located near the bottom of the cylinder 53, when the piston 74 moves towards its lowest point which corresponds with the position a of the lever 78. This contact causes the valve 183 to be raised from its seat against the action of the spring 187 which is located in a recess in the plug 179. Around the valve 183 the plug 179 is provided with a recess 188 which communicates by ports 189 with the annular space between the sleeve 180 and tube 182. The annular space 190 within the plug 181 around the neck 184 communicates through a port 191 with an annular recess 192 around the exterior of the plug. The recess 192 communicates through a port 193 to the exterior oi the sleeve '180 near its upper end. When the handle is in the position a and the valve 183 is opened, as above described, the port 193 registers withan annular recess 195 provided in the wall of the cylinder 53. This recess communicates through a port 196 with the recess 177 and thus with the reservoir 54. It will readily be understood that when the lever is in the position a and the valve 183 is open, free communication is provided between the underside of the piston 74 and the reservoir 54 through ports 189, chamber 188, annular space 190, port 191, annular recess 192, port 193, annular recess 195, port 196, annular recess 177 and port 178.

The pin 69 is located approximately twice as far from the axis of the crank plate 68 as the pin 70, so that the throw of the piston 73 is approximately twice that of the piston 74. The diameters of the cylinders 52 and 53 are preferably the same, so that the displacement of the piston 73 is double that of the piston 74.

The pipe 36 passes through a slot in the neck 49 of the column 48 and extends downwardly into the lower portion of the oil reservoir 54, passing through the bottom of a small housing 197 adjacent the housing 55. This housing contains a cap 198 which normally closes the oil opening 199. A oat 200, provided within the reservoir 54, carries a valve 201 which closes the opening 199 when sumcient oil is supplied to the reservoir. To supply the requisite amount of oil, several additions are necessary between which the chair is elevated and lowered so as to ll the cylinders 52, 53 and 27 with oil. As will hereinafter be explained, the cylinder 27 is lled with oil both above and below its piston. The oil reservoir 54 opens into the base of the housing 55 so that oil which may leak past the pumps will return to the reservoir. The housing 55 may be normally closed by a removable cover 202 to prevent admission of dirt.

t will be readily understood that by oscillating the handle within a range short of its extreme positions a and d, for example, between the positions b and c (Fig. 5), the pistons 73 and 74 will be reciprocated alternately in their cylinders. During this pumping the valves 165 and 183 remain closed, since they are hydraulically balanced and not influenced by the pressures in the pump cylinders. The upward movement of the piston 73 causes the valve 155 to open, and oil to be introduced from the reservoir 54. The downward movement of the piston 73 causes the valve 140 to open and admit oil, under pressure, into the bore of the plug 137. The piston 74 is now moving upwardly, and since the displacement of this piston is approximately half that of the piston 73, about half the oil pumped by the piston73 passes into the cylinder 53. The Valve 141 is opened by the pumping pressure and the emainder of the oil displaced by the piston 73 passes through the pipe 40 and passageway 38 to the underside of the piston 41 which causes the carriage 28 to elevate. At the same time oil displaced from the upperside of the piston 41 passes through the annular passage 39 and pipe 36 into the reservoir 54.

During the next stroke the piston 73 moves upwardly withdrawing a further charge of oil from the reservoir 54. At the same time the piston 74 moves downwardly causing the valve 141 to open, and forcing more oil to the underside of the piston 41. A certain amount of oil is displaced from the upper side of the piston 41 and passes to the reservoir 54 as above described. It will be readily understood that the chair may be elevated to any desired extent within its range of operation, by continuing pumping in the manner described. The valve 46 prevents overpumping in the manner previously described, the oil escaping therethrough returning to the reservoir 54 through the annular passageway 39 and pipe'36.

To lower the chair the handle is moved against the pressure of the spring 164 into its forward position d which brings the piston 73 into its lowermost position, thereby positively opening the valves 149, 141 and 165, and providing free communication between the cylinder 27 below the piston 41, as previously described. The weight of the chair, the carriage 28 and the occupant, causes the chair to lower. The lowering may be terminated at any time by merely permitting the handle to move out of the position d which closes the valves and shuts oif the free communication referred to. When the chair lowers, oil is drawn into the cylinder 27 on the upper side of the piston through pipe `36 and annular passage 39.

When the brake 119 is applied by moving the handle into the position a, as above described, the piston 74 is moved into its lowermost position so that the valve 183 is opened in the manner described above. As previously described, free communication now exists between the underside of the piston 74 and the reservoir 54. The adjustment is such that, when the handle is moved, thus releasing the brake, no pumping occurs until the hold of the band upon the hollow stem 26 is disengaged. In this way, dragging and the production of excessive forces are avoided. When the handle is moved out of the position a for a slight distance, the valve 183 closes and pumping conditions are resumed.

It will be readily understood that owing to the connections between the cylinders 52 and 53 and the differential displacements of their pistons, each stroke, backward or forward, has an elevating action, which is substantially equal with the displacement ratio described above.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the details or" a specic embodiment thereof,fit is to be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A chair comprising a hollow base, a carriage guided vertically thereon, a cylinder and piston assembly mounted within the base and operatively connected to the carriage to cause the elevation of the carriage with respect to the base, the cylinder and piston assembly being rotatable as a unit upon its mounting within the base, and means connected to said cylinder and piston assembly and operable to supply operating fluid thereto.

2. A chair comprising a base xedly supporting a hollow stem, a carriage, means on said carriage providing a bearing engaging the exterior of the stem, whereby the carriage is vertically guided thereon, a cylinder and piston assembly mounted within the hollow stem and operatively connected to said carriage, bearing means providing a rotatable mounting for said assembly within said hollow stem, and means mounted on the carriage and connected to said cylinder and piston assembly for supplying operating fluid thereto to cause relative movement between the piston and cylinder to elevate the carriage with respect to the base, the carriage cylinder and piston being rotatable as a unit.

on the exterior of the stem, a brake band car- 3. A chair comprising a base fixedly supporting a vertical hollow stem, a carriage slidable on the stem, a cylinder within the stem and in constant abutting relation with the base, a piston in the cylinder adapted to raise the carriage upon the stem, and a pump adapted to supply fluid to the cylinder.

4. A chair comprising a base xedly supporting a vertical hollow stem, a carriage slidable on the stem, a cylinder within the stem and in constant abutting relation with the base, a ported piston in the cylinder adapted to raise the carriage upon the stem, a pump mounted on the carriage adapted to supply fluid to the cylinder, and a ported connection between the pump and piston.

5. A chair comprising a base providing a central hollow stem, a carriage mounted exteriorly of said stem and slidable thereon in the vertical direction and rotatable in horizontal planes upon the stem, pressure operated means for elevating the carriage including a cylinder and piston mounted upon the carriage and extending within the central hollow stem, said cylinder having constant'abutting relation with said base, and pump mechanism on the exterior of the stem to supply iiuid under pressure to said cylinder.

6. A chair comprising a base providing a vertical stem, a carriage adapted for vertical and rotary movements thereon and having a bearing ried by the carriage encircling the stem, and means for contracting the band to lock the carriage to the stem.

'7. A chair comprising a base providing a verti- /cal stem, a carriage adapted for vertical and rotary movements thereon and having a bearing on the exterior of the stem, a brake band carried by the carriage encircling the stem and adapted to be contracted to lock the carriage to the base, means for elevating the carriage on the stem, a handle for operating same, and means connecting the handle to the band for operating the band.

8. A chair comprising a base providing a vertical stem, a carriage adapted for vertical and rotary movements thereon and having a bearing on the exterior of the stem, a brake band carried by the carriage encircling the stem and adapted to be contracted to lock the carriage to the base, a piston and cylinder for elevating thercarriage on the stem, a pump for supplying fluid to the cylinder, a handle for operating the pump, and means associated with the handle for contracting the brake when the handle is moved to an extreme position.

9. A chair comprising a base providing a vertical stem, a carriage adapted for vertical and rotary movements thereon and having a bearing on the exterior of the stem, a brake band carried by the carriage encircling the stem and adapted lto be contracted to lock the carriage to the base,

a piston and cylinder for elevating the carriage on the stem, a pump for supplying fluid to the cylinder, a handle for operating the pump, and means associated with the handle for contracting the brake when the handle is moved to an extreme position, said pump being provided with means whereby the pressure therein lis released when the handle is moved to said extreme position.

10. A chair comprising a base providing a vertical hollow stem, a carriage mounted thereon for vertical movement, a cylinder and piston within said stem adapted to elevate the carriage upon the base, a pump mounted on the carriage adaptassociated with the handle for locking the carriage upon the base, adjustable chair members on the carriage, means for securing the members in desired positions, said handle and securing means being diametrically disposed on opposite sides of said stem and means bridging said stem cooperating with the handle for releasing the securing means to permit adjustment of said chair members. Y

1l. In a chair, a hollow lever, a stem rotatable therein, means limiting the outward movement of the stem, a hand member secured on the outer end of the stem, a pair of opposed telescoped ferrules between the hollow lever and hand member and a spring therebetween.

12. In a chair, a base, a carriage mounted thereon for vertical and rotary movements, means forv raising and lowering the carriage re1- ative to the base, a brake mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage the base, a lever for operating the raising and lowering means for the carriage, a cam movable with the lever, link members connected to the brake and operable by the cams to actuate the brake, means for adjustment of the effective length of the link members, said link members including resilient means operable independent of said adjustment means whereby to permit relative movement between said link members and allow vfull throw of said lever and cam, irrespective of the adjustment of said means.

13. In a chair having a pivotally mounted seat and a rod operatively connected to said seat for securing the same in desired positions on its pivotal mounting, a rod clutching mechanism adapted to slidably receive the rod comprising a housing, a pair of spaced perforated clutch plates having lateral extensions placed within the housing, spaced walls in the housing adapted to receive and guidably support the extensions of the clutch plates to maintain alignment of the perforations thereof, and a spring between said plates.

14. In a chair, a base comprising a vertical stem closed at one end, a carriage slidably mounted on' the exterior of the stem, a cylinder freely mounted on the inside of the stem and rested on the closed end thereof, a piston connected to the carriage and slidable within the cylinder, and friction means connecting the cylinder to the carriage, the carriage cylinder and piston being adapted to be removed as a unit from the base in response to a lifting force exerted upon the carriage.

15. In a chair, a base comprising a Vertical stem, a carriage rotatably mounted thereon, a brake band mounted on the carriage to encircle the stem, and means for contracting the brake band to prevent relative rotation between the carriage and stem.

16. A chair comprising a base xedly supporting a vertical hollow stem, a carriage guidably mounted thereon for vertical and rotary movements, and extensible means operatively connected to the carriage and having bearing upon the base and freely rotatable within said hollow stem to elevate said carriage.

17. A chair comprising a base iixedly supporting a vertical hollow stem, a carriage having a cylindrical bearing slidably iitted upon the exterior of said stem, an elevating means for said carriage comprising a cylinder and piston assemsaid hollow stem and freely rotatable with respeot thereto, a piston tted within said cylinder and rotatable therewith, a hollow piston rod connecting said piston and carriage, and means communicating with the bore of said hollow piston rod to supply fluid under pressure to said cylinder to elevate said carriage.

ARTHUR R. SCHWARZKOPF. HARRY A. BERN. 

